Yu Fukasawa

Abstract I summarize current knowledge about the ecosystem functions of wood decomposition in forests with a particular focus on the effects of fungal wood decay types (traditionally categorized into white‐, brown‐, and soft‐rot) on the community composition of saproxylic organisms, forest tree regeneration, and carbon sequestration. Deadwoods of different decay types show markedly different physicochemical and biological properties. High carbohydrate availability in white‐rotted wood promotes t

We tested the decay abilities of 28 isolates from 28 lignicolous fungal species (Basidiomycota, Ascomycota and Zygomycota) with the pure culture test. We used beech wood powder in varying moisture conditions and decay stages (nondecayed, intermediately decayed and well decayed) as substrates. The weight loss in wood powder was -0.2-17.8%. Five isolates of Basidiomycota (Bjerkandera adusta, Mycena haematopus, Omphalotus guepiniformis, Trametes hirsuta, Trametes versicolor) caused high weight loss

The pattern of changes in the physicochemical properties of wood, and its relationship with fungal succession during decomposition of coarse woody debris (CWD) of beech (Fagus crenata Blume) were investigated. In total, 47 snags and 66 logs were assigned to a system of five decay classes, and were used for analysis of the decomposition process. The decomposition process consists of two phases characterized by their dominant organic chemical constituents. In the first phase (decay class 1–3), aci

Abstract Endophytic fungi of healthy twig tissues act as dominant primary colonizers of twig litters and are exposed to the attacks of saprobic secondary colonizers. In the present study, we examined the effect of interspecific interactions on the decay rate of twigs in laboratory experiments using two endophytic ascomycetes ( Phomopsis sp. and Xylaria sp.) and two saprobic basidiomycetes ( Mycena polygramma and Phanerochaete filamentosa ) on twigs of Japanese beech ( Fagus crenata ) as a model

Saprotrophic cord-forming basidiomycetes, with their mycelial networks at the soil/litter interface on the forest floor, play a major role in wood decomposition and nutrient cycling/relocation. Many studies have investigated foraging behaviour of their mycelium, but there is little information on their intelligence. Here, we investigate the effects of relative size of inoculum wood and new wood resource (bait) on the decision of a mycelium to remain in, or migrate from, inoculum to bait using Ph

The biodiversity-ecosystem function relationship is a central topic in ecology. Fungi are the dominant decomposers of organic plant material in terrestrial ecosystems and display tremendous species diversity. However, little is known about the fungal diversity-decomposition relationship. We evaluated fungal community assemblies and substrate quality in different stages of wood decay to assess the relationships between fungal species richness and weight loss of wood substrate under laboratory con

Fallen logs of Japanese beech ( Fagus crenata Blume) at various stages of decomposition were sampled from a cool temperate deciduous forest in Japan and studied for differences in the associated microfungus communities. Wood samples were directly plated onto each of two different media for the identification of fungal species. Approximately 1500 isolations were made, which represent 96 species of filamentous microfungi, consisting of 16 zygomycetes and 80 anamorphic ascomycetes. The number of sp

We assessed 62 fungal strains in 31 species of wood decay fungi in the ability to decompose wood blocks of Japanese beech (Fagus crenata) under a pure culture condition. Fungi were collected in a cool temperate beech forest in Japan and isolated from the inside of beech logs and from sporocarps fruiting on logs and snags of beech that were different in diameter and decay class. Fungi in Holobasidiomycetidae showed marked decomposition of lignin and carbohydrate. These fungi were divided into thr

Abstract Far less is known about the coarse woody debris (CWD) stock and decay process in temperate Asia compared with that in boreal and temperate Europe and North America. We estimated coniferous CWD stock (logs and snags), decay rate and process, and fungal species responsible for the decay process in a Japanese subalpine coniferous forest. The CWD mass was 42.4 Mg ha −1 , which was the greatest among the previous data recorded in temperate Asia. The decay rate calculated using the annual inp

Abstract Wood decay activity of Omphalotus guepiniformis , one of the most frequently occurring fruiting bodies on beech coarse woody debris in cool temperate forests in Japan, was estimated in situ by chronosequence with a five decay class system. The decay columns of O. guepiniformis increased from decay class 1 to decay class 2, where they occupied 20.2% of the total area of cross sections, and was estimated to be a dominant basidiomycete. The decay columns of O. guepiniformis decreased after

Abstract Fungal decomposition of coarse woody debris has an essential role in the biodiversity and carbon and nutrient dynamics in forest ecosystems. However, our knowledge of the effects of fungal species and within‐stem diversity on wood decay is limited. In this paper, I described the process of wood decay and fungal succession of pine ( Pinus densiflora ) snags using chronosequence method. The results showed that the decay process differed between sapwood and heartwood. Sapwood decayed faste